A lot of the SparkFun components look nice though, and postage to Australia (where I am too) shouldn't be too costly if divided between a few people.

Yes the Futurlec prices are very reasonable, heaps cheaper for the discretes than tricky dickys etc.

I've used sparkfun quite a few time and postage is very reasonable and fast, and with the strong aussy dollar, prices are pretty good as well, I usually get it within the week to WA. I've just received an order for a couple of the nordic modules and a couple of LPCH2148 header development boards that I'm looking at using for this project for some prototyping purposes.

I've not yet used Futurlec, however a mate of mine has recently received an order, was a bit slow he said, and looks as though products are shipped direct from Thailand (however don't quote me lol), but the prices are excellent.

Quick suggestion: Can you (and others doing prototypes) maybe document all the steps while it still is a work in progress andmaybe publish that on a regular basis?

Might offer shortcuts between developers and prevent two peopledoing the same mistake for lack of information.

Yes I'm just doing a schematic and board design for OLIMEX LPC-H2148 development board and will post it as soon as I finish (still have a bit to do and not enough time ) I'll post the eagle files for what I've done so far if people want.

Interesting site, people.I'll just dip my toe in here and offer just a few cents worth:

We who live in the 'backwaters' of the Southern Hemisphere are sometimes short on local assistance and suppliers for more technical electronic components.

DSE has lost the plot of supporting enthusiasts.

futurlec is okay (based on one purchase). I purchased an Atmel AVR (8535) breadboard kit and it came 'fresh' from SE Asia.futurlec.com (no .au) site has more information on it (especially for LCDs), although remember prices are $US. Delivery (from memory) was around 10 days.

Jaycar's supplier is Electus (electusdistribution.com.au). Get an account with them (you'll need an ABN) spend a minimum of $50 ($100?) ex-GST with them and you'll save lots compared with the retail equivalent. Delivery is good, ex-Sydney.

I can contribute more to this section, if there is interest.----------------I'm currently developing a project involving a graphic LCD with a (relatively large) active surface area; [and a means of communicating via RF, hence the connection with this site.]Trying to source an appropriate LCD is proving tricky (without going down the custom route, although this may prove necessary).This area needs to be a minimum of 150mm (horizontal) by 120mm.I'd be satisfied with a monochrome screen.(Many other criteria, but these are the essential starters.)The cost needs to be <$200 each.

I've seen virtually perfect products at around $550 - $600 (US!). But that price would crush the project.I've visited some 50 suppliers now (mostly SE Asia) without success.I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks for the links I think they will come in handy....if you have more please post them up!

As to you LCD request, I picked up some brand new optrex mono 160x128 graphical displays from ebay for around $25 ea, I don't know if the supplier still has them but he seemed to have quite a few. I thought they were cheap enough for future projects so I bought a couple. The only problem is they needed a Power supply to be build due to the LCD voltage required, +5 and -20V I think from memory. Here is a circuit for a PS - http://www.netikka.net/protossi/protoss ... roller.htm.

I also did a search on maxims website and got some free samples for some LCD drivers that will produce the required voltages in single chip form, I think they require a single inductor and a couple of other discretes, but pretty well self contained.

Another option is maybe the in-car LCD for DVD etc, could they be modded? or can you hack a video signal output? Circuit cellar had an article a couple of issues ago about producing a video signal.

So if you don't mind doing a bit of construction then you could go down that route.

Stephen...

mrhox wrote:Interesting site, people.I'll just dip my toe in here and offer just a few cents worth:

We who live in the 'backwaters' of the Southern Hemisphere are sometimes short on local assistance and suppliers for more technical electronic components.

DSE has lost the plot of supporting enthusiasts.

futurlec is okay (based on one purchase). I purchased an Atmel AVR (8535) breadboard kit and it came 'fresh' from SE Asia.futurlec.com (no .au) site has more information on it (especially for LCDs), although remember prices are $US. Delivery (from memory) was around 10 days.

Jaycar's supplier is Electus (electusdistribution.com.au). Get an account with them (you'll need an ABN) spend a minimum of $50 ($100?) ex-GST with them and you'll save lots compared with the retail equivalent. Delivery is good, ex-Sydney.

I can contribute more to this section, if there is interest.----------------I'm currently developing a project involving a graphic LCD with a (relatively large) active surface area; [and a means of communicating via RF, hence the connection with this site.]Trying to source an appropriate LCD is proving tricky (without going down the custom route, although this may prove necessary).This area needs to be a minimum of 150mm (horizontal) by 120mm.I'd be satisfied with a monochrome screen.(Many other criteria, but these are the essential starters.)The cost needs to be <$200 each.

I've seen virtually perfect products at around $550 - $600 (US!). But that price would crush the project.I've visited some 50 suppliers now (mostly SE Asia) without success.I'm open to suggestions.